Hello and welcome to the Week 16 waiver wire watch for wide receivers!
The first week of the fantasy playoffs is in the books and some of you are a step closer to winning your league and claiming bragging rights over your friends. Meanwhile, some of you are fighting for your life in the loser’s bracket and trying to avoid finishing last. Either way, it’s time to start lookiing for ways to fortify your rosters for the next round of the postseason.
We’ll go over some WR performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 16 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max. As a reminder, bye weeks a no longer a thing at this juncture of the year, so every team will be in action for the rest of the way.
Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos (53.4%)
The Broncos joined the Rams as the only teams to clinch a playoff spot so far, punching their ticket to the postseason with a 34-26 victory over the Packers. Franklin ended up coming through big in this possible Super Bowl preview, catching all six of his receiving targets for 86 yards and a late third-quarter touchdown reception that put Denver on top.
That’s now six touchdowns on the year for the second-year wideout from Oregon as he remains a reliable option for Bo Nix like their days in Eugene. With a rostership of roughly 50%, this may be your last chance to see him on the waiver wire, so you might as well submit a bid.
Week 16 matchup: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m. ET
Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets (27.5%)
The Jets are doing exactly what you’d expect them to be doing at this point in the season: losing games to ensure their top-five positioning in next year’s draft while still squeezing production out of their younger players. That’s exactly what happened in Sunday’s 48-20 loss to the Jaguars as wide receiver Adonai Mitchell grabbed six passes for 58 receiving yards and a touchdown.
That’s now two touchdowns in the last three weeks for the second-year wideout and he’s proving to be more than just a throwaway piece in the Sauce Gardner trade. Whoever’s throwing for the Jets in the Superdome next Sunday, they’re going to want to look for Mitchell early and often.
Week 16 matchup: @ New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers (5.9%)
The Panthers held the lead in the NFC South for 72 hours before giving it right back to the Bucs with a 20-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday. But hey, they at least got another productive afternoon out of Coker, who led the team in receiving by catching all four of his targets for 60 yards and a third-quarter touchdown that gave them a 10-point lead.
This marked the second straight game with a touchdown for the second-year wideout from Holy Cross and he’s really coming on as a reliable weapon for Bryce Young in the last month. Given how the Bucs defense has been shredded through the air in recent weeks, I like the young receiver’s chances of finding the end zone again in Sunday’s crucial NFC South showdown.
Week 16 matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears (21.9%)
Burden played a big role in the Bears’ 31-3 trashing of the Browns on Sunday, helping them bounce back from their loss to the Packers the week prior. The rookie stepped up and led the team in receiving in the big win, catching six of seven targets for 81 yards in the home victory.
That’s now three straight weeks with at least six targets for the second-round pick out of Mizzou and he’s proving to be a reliable hand for Caleb Williams with a 76.6% catch rate. Burden went for 67 receiving yards against the Packers a few weeks back and he’ll have a chance to top that when the two teams meet again at Soldier Field this Saturday night.
Week 16 matchup: vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET (Saturday night)
